Tasty tidbits: Fried Chicken Fest, new brews, meet a farmer and La Poutine Week

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/01/2024 (647 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Get your poultry fill

Fried chicken lovers have until Saturday to sample all manner of dishes featuring the crispy bird as part of Fried Chicken Fest. One of many dish-specific food fests now part of the culinary calendar, over three dozen local eateries have entries in this year’s festival, featuring a wide range of creative takes. A full list of participating venues and descriptions of their dishes can be found at friedchickenfest.ca, where diners can also vote for their favourites.

New beers, food and tunes at Sookram’s

While the January deep freeze may have subsided (for now), those still looking to escape the winter doldrums should swing by Sookram’s Brewing Co. (479-B Warsaw Ave.) on Saturday for their Summer in Winter party. Sookram’s is rolling out four new beers, the Brizzy Boys are setting up a pop-up taco service and there will be steelpan music courtesy of the Blackwood Sisters. Things get started at 2 p.m. — expect plenty of Hawaiian shirts.

Meet a farmer

Want to learn more about local food production? Bring your burning agriculture questions to the Park Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 31 for Agrarian After Dark, a casual mixer designed to connect urban consumers with rural farmers. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with food, drinks and socializing, followed by presentations from Manitoba beef, forage and fibre producers. Tickets start at $15 at myparktheatre.com.

La Poutine Week cometh

Just as one food festival flies the coop, another is gearing up for a gravy-licious landing. La Poutine Week runs Feb. 1 to 7 at restaurants across the city. The national competition from the founders of Le Burger Week is now in its 12th year. Visit lapoutineweek.com for a forthcoming list of participating restaurants and their creative approaches to fries, cheese curds and gravy.

For more local culinary news, sign up for Dish, our bi-weekly food and drink newsletter.

— Eva Wasney